Frost Dates for North Wilkesboro, NC 28659
Last spring frost April 24 · First fall frost October 18 · 177 frost-free days · USDA Zone 7b
ZIP 28659 has about 21,400 people.
Moderate season: 177 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 10–May 9 (29 days). Fall frost risk spans October 4–November 2 (29 days).
Frost probability for 28659
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 9 | April 24 | April 10 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 4 | October 18 | November 2 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at N WILKESBORO (6.7 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 177-day season in North Wilkesboro
In North Wilkesboro (177 frost-free days, a moderate season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Mar 20 | May 8–May 15 | 135 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 135 available after May 8. | Jun 18 |
| Pepper | Mar 13 | May 8–May 15 | 135 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 135 available after May 8. | Jun 23 |
| Lettuce | Feb 27 | Mar 27–Apr 3 | 212 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 27 and again by Aug 27; both mature before Oct 25. | Aug 27 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 3–Apr 10 | 219 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 219 available after Apr 3. | Aug 16 |
| Cucumber | Apr 3 | May 8–May 15 | 149 | two-plantings: Plant May 8 and again by Jul 22; both mature before Oct 4. | Jul 22 |
| Beans | — | May 1–May 15 | 163 | two-plantings: Plant May 1 and again by Jul 29; both mature before Oct 11. | Jul 29 |
| Peas | — | Feb 27–May 8 | 240 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 240 available after Feb 27. | Aug 7 |
| Zucchini | Apr 10 | May 8–May 15 | 149 | two-plantings: Plant May 8 and again by Jul 27; both mature before Oct 4. | Jul 27 |
| Onion | Jan 30 | Mar 27–Apr 10 | 212 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 212 available after Mar 27. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 27–Apr 17 | 254 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 27 and again by Sep 15; both mature before Nov 8. | Sep 15 |
| Kale | Feb 13 | Mar 27–Apr 10 | 226 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 27 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Nov 8. | Aug 31 |
| Broccoli | Feb 27 | Mar 27–Apr 10 | 212 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 212 available after Mar 27. | Jul 23 |
| Cabbage | Feb 27 | Mar 27–Apr 10 | 226 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 226 available after Mar 27. | Aug 16 |
| Radish | — | Feb 27–May 22 | 240 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 27 and again by Sep 16; both mature before Oct 25. | Sep 16 |
| Beets | — | Feb 27–May 22 | 240 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 27 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 25. | Aug 17 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 10–Apr 17 | 198 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 198 available after Apr 10. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 18 | 282 | overwinter: Plant Oct 18 to Nov 8; harvest the following summer. | Nov 8 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 20–May 15 | 233 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 20; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 27 | May 1–May 8 | 149 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 149 available after May 1. | Jun 30 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 10 | May 8–May 8 | 142 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 142 available after May 8. | Jun 5 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 13 | Apr 17–May 1 | 191 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 191 available after Apr 17. | Jul 28 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 27 | Apr 10–Apr 10 | 198 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 10 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 25. | Aug 17 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 27–May 22 | 254 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 27 and again by Sep 15; both mature before Nov 8. | Sep 15 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 27 | Mar 27–Apr 10 | 226 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 226 available after Mar 27. | Jul 17 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 10 | May 8–May 15 | 142 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 142 available after May 8. | Jun 5 |
| Eggplant | Mar 6 | May 8–May 15 | 135 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 135 available after May 8. | Jun 28 |
| Okra | Mar 27 | May 1–May 8 | 156 | two-plantings: Plant May 1 and again by Jul 27; both mature before Oct 4. | Jul 27 |
| Basil | Mar 20 | May 15–May 15 | 142 | two-plantings: Plant May 15 and again by Jul 22; both mature before Oct 4. | Jul 22 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 27–Apr 17 | 212 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 27 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Oct 25. | Aug 22 |
| Parsley | Feb 13 | May 1–May 8 | 177 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 177 available after May 1. | Aug 2 |
| Celery | Feb 13 | May 1–May 15 | 177 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 177 available after May 1. | Jun 13 |
| Scallions | Feb 13 | Mar 27–Apr 10 | 226 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 27 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Nov 8. | Aug 26 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 27–Apr 10 | 226 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 27 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Nov 8. | Sep 5 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 13–Mar 27 | 240 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 13 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Nov 8. | Aug 31 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 27 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 191 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 17 and again by Aug 27; both mature before Oct 25. | Aug 27 |
| Collards | Feb 13 | Mar 27–Apr 10 | 226 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 27 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Nov 8. | Aug 26 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 10 | May 8–May 15 | 135 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 135 available after May 8. | Jun 13 |
| Chives | Jan 30 | May 1–May 8 | 191 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 191 available after May 1. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 27–May 22 | 240 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 27 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 25. | Aug 17 |
| Oregano | Feb 13 | May 1–May 8 | 191 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 191 available after May 1. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 30 | May 1–May 8 | 177 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 177 available after May 1. | — |
| Sage | Feb 27 | May 1–May 8 | 191 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 191 available after May 1. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 13 | May 1–May 8 | 191 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 191 available after May 1. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 13 | Apr 10–Apr 24 | 198 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 10 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Oct 25. | Aug 22 |
| Cosmos | Mar 27 | Apr 24–May 8 | 163 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 24 and again by Jul 22; both mature before Oct 4. | Jul 22 |
| Lavender | Jan 30 | Apr 24–May 8 | 198 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 198 available after Apr 24. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 13 | Apr 24–May 1 | 163 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 24 and again by Aug 1; both mature before Oct 4. | Aug 1 |
| Melons | Apr 10 | May 8–May 15 | 135 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 135 available after May 8. | Jun 13 |
| Mint | — | Apr 24–May 8 | 198 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 198 available after Apr 24. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 27 | Apr 24–May 1 | 163 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 24 and again by Jul 27; both mature before Oct 4. | Jul 27 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 1–May 15 | 156 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 156 available after May 1. | Jul 17 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 10 | May 8–May 15 | 142 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 142 available after May 8. | Jun 15 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 24–May 8 | 163 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 163 available after Apr 24. | Jul 12 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 27 | May 1–May 8 | 142 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 142 available after May 1. | Jun 23 |
| Watermelon | Apr 10 | May 1–May 8 | 142 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 142 available after May 1. | Jun 18 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 10 | May 8–May 15 | 149 | two-plantings: Plant May 8 and again by Jul 27; both mature before Oct 4. | Jul 27 |
| Zinnias | Mar 27 | Apr 24–May 8 | 163 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 24 and again by Jul 22; both mature before Oct 4. | Jul 22 |
Month by month in North Wilkesboro
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 30), Lavender (Jan 30), Onion (Jan 30), Rosemary (Jan 30). |
| February | Start indoors: Celery (Feb 13), Collards (Feb 13), Kale (Feb 13), Oregano (Feb 13), Parsley (Feb 13), Scallions (Feb 13), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 27), Beets (Feb 27), Dill (Feb 27), Peas (Feb 27), Radish (Feb 27), Spinach (Feb 27). |
| March | Start indoors: Eggplant (Mar 6), Calendula (Mar 13), Cauliflower (Mar 13), Marigolds (Mar 13), Pepper (Mar 13), Basil (Mar 20), +7 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Mar 13), Cilantro (Mar 27), Turnip (Mar 27). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 27), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 27), Cabbage (Mar 27), Collards (Mar 27), Kale (Mar 27), Lettuce (Mar 27), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 20). |
| April | Start indoors: Cucumber (Apr 3), Butternut Squash (Apr 10), Cantaloupe (Apr 10), Melons (Apr 10), Pumpkin (Apr 10), Spaghetti Squash (Apr 10), +3 more. Direct sow from: Carrots (Apr 3), Potatoes (Apr 10), Sunflowers (Apr 24). Transplant from: Calendula (Apr 10), Swiss Chard (Apr 10), Bok Choy (Apr 17), Cauliflower (Apr 17), Cosmos (Apr 24), Lavender (Apr 24), +4 more. Last frost around April 24. |
| May | Direct sow from: Beans (May 1), Pole Beans (May 1). Transplant from: Celery (May 1), Chives (May 1), Corn (May 1), Okra (May 1), Oregano (May 1), Parsley (May 1), +17 more. |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 5), Pumpkin (Jun 5), Cantaloupe (Jun 13), Celery (Jun 13), Melons (Jun 13), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 15), +6 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Jul 12), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 17), Pole Beans (Jul 17), Basil (Jul 22), Cosmos (Jul 22), Cucumber (Jul 22), +8 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Marigolds (Aug 1), Parsley (Aug 2), Peas (Aug 7), Cabbage (Aug 16), Carrots (Aug 16), Beets (Aug 17), +10 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Turnip (Sep 5), Arugula (Sep 15), Spinach (Sep 15), Radish (Sep 16). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 18). First frost around October 18. |
| November | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 8). |
| December | Clean up spent plants. Add compost to beds. Rest, review, and plan next year's garden. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for North Wilkesboro, NC (ZIP 28659)?
The median last spring frost date for North Wilkesboro, NC (ZIP code 28659) is around April 24. This is the 50th-percentile date — meaning half of all years see frost end before this date. Use the 10% and 90% dates to understand the full range of risk in your area. One year in ten frost ends before April 10; one in ten it runs past May 9.
What is the first fall frost date in North Wilkesboro, NC?
The median first fall frost date for North Wilkesboro, NC is around October 18. Plan to harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops like tomatoes and peppers at least a week before this date to avoid losses. The first frost arrives around October 4 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in North Wilkesboro, NC?
The frost-free growing season in North Wilkesboro is about 177 days. This window — from your last spring frost to your first fall frost — is when warm-season vegetables thrive. Cold-hardy crops like kale, spinach, and peas can extend your season by weeks on either side. In North Wilkesboro (177 frost-free days, a moderate season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is North Wilkesboro, NC?
North Wilkesboro, NC is in USDA hardiness zone 7b (2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map). Zones come from the average coldest winter temperature, so they tell you which perennials survive the winter; the frost dates on this page tell you when to plant.
When should I start tomatoes indoors in North Wilkesboro, NC?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 20 and plant out May 8 in North Wilkesboro. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in North Wilkesboro?
Two: plant Mar 27 and again by Aug 27; both mature before Oct 25.
When do I plant garlic in North Wilkesboro?
Oct 18 to Nov 8; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
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